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affords just as good evidence for a far higher class of force than these. A 
potential force, capable under certain circumstances of converting any given 
amount of certain kinds of matter into a forest of oaks of any given magni- 
tude, and reproducing other acorns ad infinitum. This living force I may 
well conceive from its higher power of controlling the forces of dead, inert 
matter, as a force of a more powerful nature than these. But this living 
force, controlling the growth and structure of animate nature, leads us up to 
a higher force still — the force of intelligent and voluntary agents. Then, 
again, the mere instinctive intelligence of lower animate nature leads us up 
to the power and exertion of the will of intelligent agents like ourselves. 
But are we to stop here, on the confines, as it were, of the exposition of the 
existence of intelligent mind, which we know experimentally to be so 
powerful ? Man, by the force of his intelligent will, can cause charcoal, 
saltpetre, and sulphur to combine with each other, and give him a compound 
with which he can rend asunder the strongest rock. He may tame the light- 
ning, and make it whisper his message from the Old to the New World. 
Is this no miracle ? Is this no invasion of the law of the conservation of 
material energy ? Without the force of man’s will actuating the material 
agents he controls, could these changes of material nature take place ? Are 
there not human miracles the products of human minds 1 Could a micro- 
scope or a telescope be developed by any of the laws of inorganic nature from 
glass and brass, without the controlling interference of human thoughts, 
invention and skill ? Force is the link, indeed, which binds the world of 
matter to the world of mind or thought. Each step we take from the forces 
of inorganic nature to those of animate structure, and from these upwards to 
the power of force produced by the intelligence of beings armed with the 
power of exerting free will, leads us up to forces of greater power and inten- 
sity. If this be so, are we to stop here ? I maintain that such thoughts as 
these lead us upwards to the Great Power and Mind which is the Creator 
and Sustainer of all things ; that if puny man has by the power and force 
of his mind an intelligence that can reach the furthest limits of the visible 
universe, an intelligence that can produce so much, an intelligence that can 
control so greatly the powers and forces of animate and inanimate nature ; 
I can believe, without any sacrifice of philosophical thought or accuracy, that 
Almighty God, in answer to our feeble prayers, may indeed control the winds 
and the waves, and give rain and sunshine, fruitful seasons, and abundant 
harvests, filling our hearts with joy and gladness. Nay, more, He can work 
greater miracles than these. He can give us those supernatural graces by 
which alone our spiritual being can be fitted for an entrance into everlasting- 
blessedness. (Hear, hear.) 
Mr. Reddie. — As the issues under discussion are chiefly metaphysical, I 
should be very glad if a gentleman I see present, the Rev. Mr. Greig, would 
favour us with some observations on a matter he is so well qualified to 
discuss. 
Rev. David Greig. — My Lord, Mr. Reddie seems anxious that I should 
say a few words on the paper. This I shall gladly do ; but I fear it will be 
